"Companies also would need permission from consumers to collect sensitive data, such as medical records, financial accounts, Social Security numbers and geographic location information."

In reading the above, does that mean that it's currently fine for companies to collect this information without my approval? Yes, the stakes are indeed high--but mostly for my privacy and ability to give informed consent, not advertisers concerned about losing ad dollars.

10:21 am May 5, 2010

Lukas Dickie wrote:

I am an advocate for protection of personal information and data privacy. We have allowed organizations in the U.S. to do as they please with consumer personal data for far too long. A classic example includes sharing personal data with "affiliates", where the affiliates (who never told you how they will handle your information) turn around and sell the data. You, the consumer, are none the wiser.

How would you feel if every time you walked into a Target store to buy goods, there was someone from Wal-Mart outside who will rummage through your bags and record what you bought? That is exactly what is going on right now, only in the digital space it is less conspicuous, allowing for billions of these everyday occurrences.

Truth be told, you wouldn't let someone go through your personal items in the real world.

Our right to privacy is deteriorating at an alarming rate. We are losing face and trust in the global economy. The European Union, Canada, Japan, and yes, even China, are years ahead of the U.S. in the personal information privacy space.

Personal information –– YOUR information –– is the property of the individual. Plain and simple. Organizations who understand this right to privacy are learning customers trust them with far more personal information. This creates a strong relationship between the business and the consumer, and helps the organization communicate effectively.

Not all is bad news, though. Far beyond growing concerns among our States, people and their political leaders are saying, "enough is enough." I'm delighted to see Massachusetts and Alaska adopt new rules to protect their citizens. They are leaders.

Rep. Rick Boucher's draft legislation is a healthy step forward in the right direction.

Lukas Dickie
Gimigo

11:29 am May 5, 2010

Jan R wrote:

I'm in advertising, and I'm in favor of much stronger legislation to protect privacy than this. My agency is in favor of much stronger legislation, and many of my colleagues at other agencies are in favor of stronger legislation than this. It's frustrating to be "represented," yet again, by the Interactive Advertising Bureau, a trade group for the technology companies, not the advertising agencies. Could ad agencies make more money if we had more information about consumers? Probably. Does that mean that we want it? No. We're not all so willing to compromise civil rights for a buck, and we don't want Congress to bow to the pressure of those who are. This legislation changes some existing practices, but those practices are wrong, and they've developed only because the technology has outpaced consumer protections. That's not an argument to continue doing the wrong thing. And I, and my colleagues, would like our industry to be represented by responsible behavior, not the callow, unprincipled and short-sighted minority fronted by the IAB.
- JR

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